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FRAMINGHAM, MA, November 21, 2011 – IDC Health Insights revealed today the availability of a new IDC MarketScape report designed to guide firms evaluating electronic medical record/electronic health record (EMR/EHR) vendors. The new report, IDC MarketScape: U.S. Ambulatory EMR/EHR for Midsize and Large Practices 2011 Vendor Assessment (Document # HI230719) provides an assessment of 10 EMR/EHR products that target midsize and large practices and qualify for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) incentives. In the report, IDC Health Insights provides an opinion on which vendors are well-positioned today through current capabilities and which are best positioned to gain market share over the next one to four years.

IDC Health Insights expects the market to move from less than 25% adoption in 2009 to over 80% adoption by 2016. This anticipated growth is fueled in part by regulatory stipulations and government incentives under the ARRA; additional trends include the quality of care improvements that result from using EHRs in ambulatory practices, their growing capabilities and use of cloud computing, the use of mobile devices in ambulatory practices, and the consolidation of provider vendors as market saturation increases.

This IDC MarketScape examines 10 products from 8 leading vendors with a significant presence in the EMR/EHR technology market for midsize and large ambulatory practices, and provides a quantitative analysis of their current capabilities and future strategies. Vendors included in the report are: Allscripts, Cerner Corporation, eClinicalWorks, Epic Systems, GE Healthcare, McKesson Corporation, NextGen Healthcare, and Sage Healthcare Division.

Each product has been evaluated against 48 criteria and divided between two main categories: strategy and capabilities measures for success. Within each of these criteria, IDC Health Insights has weighted specific features of the product or the product's vendor that are particularly significant for purchasers of the software and for users. According to Judy Hanover, IDC Health Insights research director, “To meet all of the challenges of EMR/EHR adoption and get to meaningful use while preparing for healthcare reform, it is clear that ambulatory providers need integrated EMR/EHR solutions that address not only the total cost of ownership for the technology but also the infrastructure, workflow, and human factor issues associated with the new technologies. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for EMR/EHR, and each application should be evaluated on the basis of its unique characteristics and fit with a particular practice.”

The report provides extensive guidance including key considerations for EMR/EHR selection by an ambulatory practice, a description of application differentiators for vendors, and best practices guidelines for EMR/EHR implementation.

For additional information about this study, or to arrange a one-on-one briefing with Judy Hanover, please contact Sarah Murray at 781-378-2674 or sarahbethmurray@gmail.com. Reports are available to qualified members of the media. For information on purchasing reports, contact info@idc-hi.com.

About IDC MarketScapes

IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About IDC Health Insights

IDC Health Insights assists health businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them, in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of industry experience, our global research analyzes and advises on business and technology issues facing the payer, provider and life sciences industries. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world’s leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit www.idc-hi.com, email info@idc-hi.com, or call 508-935-4445. Visit the IDC Health Insights Community at http://idc-insights-community.com/health